Conservation Genetics

To adquire knowledge in genetic diversity and effective population size (Ne)
To interpret national and international regulations of animal genomic resources, as well as information sources in animal genetic diversity.
Know methods for estimating and calibrating the effective population size.
Evaluate the impact of reductions in genetic diversity on the viability of species.

1. Genetics and conservation: Genetic diversity and methods for estimation.
2. Census (N) and effective (Ne) population size impact on the viability of species.
3. Origin and regeneration of genetic diversity.
4. Quantitative genetics and conservation.
5. Conservation strategies and genetic implications

• PROGRAM
UNIT 1: GENETICS AND CONSERVATION: GENETIC DIVERSITY AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATION.
Estimation of genetic diversity using molecular markers. Intra and interspecific diversity. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Genetic diversity in endangered species in the IUCN Red List.

UNIT 2: MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE I: GENETIC DRIFT AND MIGRATION
Genetic drift and effects on small populations. Inbreeding coefficient and population size. Founder effect and bottlenecks. Census (N) and effective population (Ne) size. Estimation of Ne and Ne/N ratio. Population fragmentation. Migration. Gene flow and restoration of genetic diversity. Migration-Drift equilibrium.

UNIT 3: MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE II: MUTATION AND SELECTION.
Type of mutations. Environmental impact on gene frequencies: Natural selection in large populations and adaptation. Mutation-Selection equilibrium.

UNIT 4: QUANTITATIVE GENETIC VARIATION AND CONSERVATION.
Methods to estimate quantitative genetic variation: broad- and narrow-sense heritability; QTL and candidate loci. Heritability estimates in nature. Genetic basis of inbreeding depression. Directional, stabilizing and disruptive selection in metric traits. Genetic divergence among populations (QST-Fst).

UNIT 5: CONSERVATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY.
Conservation units. Strategies of conservation: in situ and ex situ. Genetic management of endangered species in nature. Conservation breeding programs and restoration. Introgression and hybridization. Invasive species. Germplasm banks. Molecular markers for genetic traceability and conservation: forensic applications and management of genetic resources.

Basic
ALLENDORF, F.W.; LUIKART, G. 2013 (2nd ed.). Conservation and the Genetics of Populations. Blackwell Publishing.
ALLENDORF, F.W.; FUNK, W.C.; AITKEN S.N.; BYRNE M.; LUIKART, G; ANTUNES A. 2022 (3rd ed.). Conservation and the Genomics of Populations. Oxford University Press, Oxford
FRANKHAM, R.; BALLOU, J.D.; BRISCOE, D.A. 2004. A Primer of Conservation Genetics. Cambridge.
KLUG, W.S.; CUMMINGS, M.R.; SPENCER, C.A.; PALLADINO, M.A. 2013. Conceptos de Genética, Capítulo 26: Genética de la Conservación. Pearson.
Complementary
BERTORELLE, G.; BRUFORD, M.W.; HAUFFE, H.C.; RIZZOLI, A.; VERNESI, C. 2009. Population Genetics for Animal Conservation. Cambridge.
CABALLERO, A. 2017. Genética Cuantitativa. Síntesis.
FALCONER, D.S. y MACKAY, T.F.C. 2001. Introducción a la Genética Cuantitativa. Acribia.
FREELAND, J.R. 2005. Molecular Ecology. Wiley.
HÖGLUND, J. 2009. Evolutionary Conservation Genetics. Oxford University Press.
MILLS, L.S. 2007. Conservation of Wildlife Populations: Demography, Genetics and Management. Blackwell Publishing.
SAN MIGUEL, E. 2023. Cuestiones y problemas en genética de la conservación. Monografías do IBADER – Serie Biodiversidade. Lugo. (Available at: https://www.ibader.gal/ficha/140/1675/Cuestiones-y-problemas-en-genetic…)

Other resources:
• Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza:
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Conservación de recursos genéticos animales (FAO):
http://www.fao.org/documents/card/es/c/92bb2bf9-8d53-587e-96ae-0f10c38a…
• Los bancos de recursos genéticos y su papel en la conservación de la biodiversidad: http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/896/89610109.pdf

Basic
CB6 –Acquire knowledge as a basis for developing and/or applying original ideas, often within a research context.
CB7 – Ability to apply the acquired knowledge and to solve problems in new or scarcely known scenarios within wider or multidisciplinary contexts related to the area of study.

General:
CG01 – Ability to organize and plan the study and experimentation in the knowledge areas under study.
CG02 – Knowledge integration and capacity for decision-making starting from scientific and technical information.

Specific:
CE03 – Develop skills and abilities in genetic and genomic analysis, and genetic counseling.
CE05 – Acquire knowledge and skills for developing scientific work on life sciences, at least in one of the following knowledge areas: Genetics, Physiology, Anatomical Pathology, legal and forensic medicine, Animal Production, Plant production.

Transversal:
CT03 – Environmental sustainability. Equitable, responsible and efficient use of resources.
CT08 – Ability to use information and communication technologies (TIC)

Presential and Semi-presential modalities
Classes (presential and/or virtual contents).
Review of literature under proposed by the teacher/s (presential and/or virtual contents).
Workshops/Seminars (presential and/or virtual contents).
Collaborative learning (group Works and/or participation in discussion forum; presential or virtual).
Activities using TIC (informatic equipment).
Development of academic Works and presential defence.
Personal tutorial support (presential and online)
Autonomous work of students.

In-class and blended modalities will have the same assesment system.
• Written exam: Evaluating acquirement of the main theoretical concepts of the subject (60% of the subject-level ratings)
• Practical exam: Resolution of questions and problems to evaluate the knowledge acquired from practical classes, seminars and TIC activities (10%)
• Continuous evaluation: Presentation or defence of academic works, participation and attitude of the student (30% )

-In-class learning Modality:
Presential time: 24 hours
Theoretical classes (expositive and interactive): 14
Practical classes (expositive and interactive): 5
Tutorial support: 3
Exam: 2
Student work: 51

- Blended learning Modality
Presential time: 5 hours
Presential sessions (revision of theoretical/practical contents): 3
Exam: 2
Tutorial support, on-line learning activities and personal student work: 70 hours

Solve more problems than those explained in the classes; revise web pages and links associated with the advances in conservation genetics; revise at least one text among those proposed in the basic literature; ask and express doubts, especially during the practical classes of problems and questions, or bioinformatic sessions.